On Thursday, voting concluded at 6 pm in Kerala, with a high turnout recorded in the election to form the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly. The ruling LDF, led by the Congress-led UDF, and the BJP-led NDA all campaigned intensively.
According to the Election Commission, the turnout was 77.45%, higher than the 74.06% recorded in the 2021 assembly elections.
The polling process was largely peaceful, with only minor technical issues reported at a few locations.
Voting took place across all 140 constituencies, with over 2.71 crore eligible voters.
Officials stated that the final turnout is expected to be even higher as late voters are counted. If the trend continues, the overall turnout could reach 80.54%, as seen in 1987.
Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll contributed to the high turnout.
He stated that the polling process was generally smooth and peaceful across the state.
"There have been no major issues reported during the voting," he said.
However, at two polling booths, there were delays of about 30 minutes in the start of voting due to issues with the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Despite these minor problems, authorities said that the election process remained orderly, with voters turning out in large numbers across constituencies.
The election is closely watched as it will determine whether the CPI(M)-led LDF secures a third consecutive term, the Congress-headed UDF stages a comeback after a decade, or the NDA makes significant inroads into Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape.
Leaders from all three main political fronts offered different explanations for the high voter turnout, each linking it to factors that could influence the election outcome.
CPI(M) leader C N Mohanan attributed the rise to the revision of electoral rolls.
"As the names of people who have died or moved out have been removed, this has resulted in an increase in the voting percentage," he said.
Congress leader Deepthi Mary Varghese said that further study of the trend is needed.
"Typically, when the voting percentage rises, it favours the UDF," she said.
CPI(M) leader A M Ariff cautioned against reading too much into the turnout figures.
"Polling percentage cannot be the sole criterion for determining the winner," he said.
BJP leader K S Shaiju linked the rise to voter behaviour on the ground. "Our analysis shows that more women voters have turned up this time," he said.
He also expressed confidence about his party's prospects. "Increased participation of women voters would favour the BJP."
From early morning, there were long queues outside polling booths, with prominent political leaders and public figures arriving even before voting began.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cast his vote along with his family at a polling station in Kannur district. Describing the election as decisive, he said it would determine the direction of Kerala's development.
"We have been able to achieve development and it should continue. It should not be disrupted and people desire its continuation," he told reporters.
Highlighting his government's record, Vijayan asserted that the LDF had ensured good governance and sustained progress over the past decade.
"We have low corruption, and people know that no other front can achieve this. The last 10 years have witnessed wide-ranging development, and the LDF was behind it. People strongly believe that for this development to continue, the LDF should remain in power," he said.
Congress leader V D Satheesan cast his vote along with his family.
Expressing confidence in the UDF's prospects, Satheesan claimed that there was a clear shift in public opinion towards change.
"There is a clear edge, even as indicated in pre-poll predictions. I have travelled across Kerala and there is a strong wave for change," he said, adding that the alliance expected to secure a decisive mandate.
From the BJP-led NDA camp, Union Minister Suresh Gopi reached a polling booth early in the morning and waited in the queue along with other voters before casting his ballot.
"I have cast my vote with devotion," he said after voting. "There will be a change this time."
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar also expressed confidence that voters would support the party's push for development and governance.
"The BJP will emerge as a major force and people will give the party such a role after the election."
Across the state, several senior leaders, candidates and public figures participated in the voting process. Malayalam actors including Mammootty and Mohanlal cast their votes in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram respectively.
The election is significant not only for its immediate outcome but also for the broader political trajectory of Kerala. While the state has traditionally alternated between the LDF and the UDF, the BJP-led NDA has been attempting to expand its presence by increasing its vote share and appealing to new sections of voters.
